Ranjeet Bhagwan Singh

Scholar who completed a PhD in bacteriology and had a distinguished career in global health.

Name: Ranjeet Bhagwan Singh
Category: Former student
Role: PhD student in bacteriology
Time active with Edinburgh Medical School: 1960s

Black and white photo of Ranjeet in the lab

Ranjeet overcame early obstacles in Edinburgh to complete a PhD in bacteriology, laying foundations for a distinguished career in global health.

Before arriving here in the 1960s, he had already earned recognition through a World Health Organization fellowship that enabled study of medicine and bacteriology across five Asian countries. He was sponsored by the Malaysian government to undertake doctoral work at Edinburgh Medical School. Although he faced difficulties initially, he persevered and thrived academically, earning strong commendations from colleagues and supervisors and keeping ties with Edinburgh long after his graduation.

Ranjeet went on to become an honorary member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel in 1973. 

His story of resilience, international mobility and academic excellence resonates with today’s global student community and reflects Edinburgh Medical School’s longstanding commitment to welcoming and supporting students from around the world.